Tag: AAHomecare
‘Critical juncture’: AAH, VGM partner on event to push legislation
October 12, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare and VGM are partnering on a new virtual advocacy event to bolster awareness and support for Medicare legislation as Congress enters the final legislative weeks of the year.
The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555 and S. 1294), would provide a 90/10 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for most home medical equipment products in competitive bidding areas for all of 2024 and extend the current 75/25 blended rate currently in effect in rural/non-CBA...
AAH, ALS association send NIV letter to CMS
October 12, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare and the ALS Association continue to press their case with CMS that Medicare Advantage plans are improperly denying claims and imposing stricter coverage criteria for non-invasive ventilators than Medicare allows.
In an Oct. 4 letter to Kathryn Coleman, director, Medicare Drug & Health Plan Contract Admin Group for CMS, AAHomecare and the ALS Association share examples of MA plans that are “ignoring physician's orders and instead use excessive prior...
AAH hires Stephanie LegreeÂ
October 3, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has added Stephanie Legree in the newly created position of project manager. Legree, most recently co-director of the business office & vice president of government affairs for Binson’s Home Health Care, will take over primary management of the association’s Medical Supplies, HME/RT and State Leaders councils, and co-manage the Diabetes Council. “I am excited to bring another dynamic industry veteran onto the AAHomecare staff,” said Tom Ryan,...
Stakeholders hit the ground running with new billÂ
September 22, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – The HME industry needs to be “prepared for anything,” stakeholders say, to get reimbursement relief in place for 2024.
Stakeholders converged virtually on Capitol Hill on Sept. 20 as part of AAHomecare’s Washington Legislative Conference to push the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555), a bill that would provide a 90/10 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for most home medical equipment products in competitive bidding areas for all of 2024 and...
Bid relief bill drops ahead of Legislative Conference
September 19, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., have introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would provide a 90/10 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for most home medical equipment products in competitive bidding areas for all of 2024.
The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555) would also extend the current 75/25 blended rate currently in effect in rural/non-CBA areas through 2024.
“This legislation provides a long-overdue...
Bill strengthens access to titanium wheelchairsÂ
September 11, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow for code upgrades for titanium and carbon fiber wheelchairs under Medicare. “Stronger patient access to lightweight carbon fiber and titanium wheelchairs will allow more individuals with mobility challenges to function independently and take part in their communities,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO. “Working to build support for this measure has...
In brief: AAHomecare survey, Bigfoot sale, Medtronic lawsuitÂ
September 8, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has launched a survey to learn what education topics would be most beneficial to an HME company’s livelihood and operations.
The association will use the results of the survey to help shape a curriculum featuring respected thought leaders from the HME Industry and beyond that addresses pressing concerns.
“In a recent industry survey, nearly 250 HME professionals nationwide shared business pain points revealing critical challenges impacting...
AAHomecare seeks input on education
September 7, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has launched a survey to learn what education topics would be most beneficial to an HME company’s livelihood and operations.
The association will use the results of the survey to help shape a curriculum featuring respected thought leaders from the HME Industry and beyond that addresses pressing concerns.
“In a recent industry survey, nearly 250 HME professionals nationwide shared business pain points revealing critical challenges impacting...
Stakeholders seek details on UHC plan to eliminate some prior auths
September 1, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – UnitedHealthcare’s plan to reduce prior authorizations was met with skepticism by industry stakeholders who say it’s more likely a public relations move in response to increased government scrutiny.
In August, UnitedHealthcare said it would begin a two-phased approach to eliminating prior authorizations for many product codes starting Sept. 1, 2023. That’s after the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in May held a hearing on...
As natural disasters increase, so do out-of-pocket costs
September 1, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – With weather-related disasters seemingly more frequent and extreme, the HME industry remains frustrated that CMS doesn’t acknowledge the increased costs to DMEPOS suppliers, stakeholders say.
A day after Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida, CMS announced flexibilities for affected residents needing HME; it followed the same pattern in the days after wildfires devastated Maui in August. But providers – who go above and beyond – often do so at their...